Bruny Island Tasmania (Nuenonne: Lunawanna-alonnah) is a 362 square kilometres (140 sq mi) island located off the southeast coast of Tasmania, Australia. The island is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and its east coast lies in the Tasman Sea.
Storm Bay is located in the northeastern part of Bruny island Tasmania. Both the island and the channel are named after the French explorer Antoine Bruni d’Entrecasteaux. Its conventional original name is lunawanna-allonah, which survives as the name of two island arrangements, Alonnah and Lunawanna.
Located off the coast of Hobart, Bruny Island Tasmania is a popular holiday spot for beachgoers and foodies. It is also home to wild and dramatic landscapes waiting to be explored. Explore on a day trip, stay overnight or stay a week to explore the various hiking trails, beaches and gourmet food sourced or produced right on the island.
About Bruny Island Tasmania
Two islands South Bruny Island and North Bruny Island
Bruny Island Tasmania, which is about 50-60 km long, is a popular excursion destination easily accessible from Hobart. It is two islands connected by a narrow isthmus called “The Neck”. Interestingly North Bruny Island is entirely different from South Bruny Island. The north is characterized by open grasslands and light scrub and is known to be drier than the south. The south is heavily wooded, hilly and has patches of rainforest.
A visitor should make sure to visit all parts of the island. The ferry arrives to the north and the road passes south of the small villages of Dennes Point and Barnes Bay; The Neck is home to Truganini Lookout, which offers some of the best views on the island; and the southern part of the island includes the towns of Adventure Bay, Alonnah and Lunawanna, as well as the imposing Cape Bruny Lighthouse.
It is the natural beauty of Bruny Island that is the real attraction. The beaches are unbelievably white, the waters (on a clear day) a beautiful blue, and the path around the island winds from one cove to another. The island, which has an area of 36,210 ha, has a total of 225 km of roads. Today, its main industries are agriculture and tourism.
The Island can only be Reached by a Ferry Ride
Bruny Island Tasmania is home to breathtaking and diverse landscapes, stunning wildlife, an array of food to please the palate and delicious single malts to soothe the soul. Bruny Island is sure to become a repeat destination on your Australian adventures.
Accessible only by ferry from the southeast coast of Tasmania, Australia, Bruny Island is an adventure in contrast to the state’s open grasslands to the north and rainforests to the south. Connected by a narrow isthmus – a term usually reserved for geography lessons – aptly known as ‘The Neck’, Bruny Island is Tasmania’s premier island destination, renowned for its breathtaking views.
The north Bruny island is defined by open grassland and light scrub, while the south is home to a Tasman national park and vast areas of rainforest. Once lit by the second oldest lighthouse in Australia, a new modern light shine to take you back to a place that will always feel like home.
About the Bruny Island Ferry Terminal
The Bruny Island ferry service is a key link between Bruny Island and the Tasmanian mainland for residents and visitors to the island. Allows passenger vehicles and cargo to travel between Bruny Island and Kettering.
The service aims to meet the needs of Bruny Island residents as well as the growing demand of the island’s growing visitor economy.
The Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the only One Open for Tours
Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in southern Tasmania open for tours. Built-in 1836 (first lit in 1838), the heritage-listed Cape Bruny Lighthouse rises 114 meters above the dramatic cliff tops and coves that make up this wild rugged Tasmanian coastline of Cape Bruny.
John Lee Archer, a famous architect who designed many famous structures around the world, was way ahead of his time and the iconic lighthouse he designed still stands proud today. Discover this remote and historically rich piece of Bruny either by car or join Bruny Island Safaris.
Join one of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse tours, climb the lighthouse and hear its history, the tragedies of shipwrecks on nearby islands, the plight of convicts during construction, and the lives and duties of lighthouse keepers.
After the tour, you can continue exploring the area. The path to the nearby beach passes a grave believed to be the resting place of two children from 1875 and 1898 before reaching a dry-stone wall that symbolises the partition of an old vegetable patch.
The Cape Bruny Lightstation Museum, located by the parking lot, is also worth paying attention to. This small building is packed with a variety of fascinating maritime artefacts.
South Bruny National Park
The towering cliffs of South Bruny National Park are a spectacle against the backdrop of the wild Southern Ocean. On one of the southern headlands is the Cape Bruny Lighthouse, first lit in 1838 and today offering a fascinating insight into the history of this rugged coastline.
Nearby Cloudy Bay is popular with surfers and perfect for long beach walks. You might even find yourself spotting southern right whales and humpback whales on their annual migration as you explore the beaches and headlands of South Bruny.
Exploring the park on foot allows you to immerse yourself in the landscape an experience enhanced by the abundant bird life, coastal heathland and stunning views. Visiting the short-tailed and little penguin colonies at Bruny Neck is sure to be a highlight, not least for its iconic views of the neck. A valid park permit is needed to enter Tasmania’s national parks.
Choose from a range of pass options to best suit your needs. With beautiful coastal walks, lush rainforest to explore and rich history, South Bruny National Park is packed with remarkable experiences that will make your visit unforgettable.
Located on the southern tip of Bruny Island Tasmania and encompassing the entire coast as well as part of the area between Fluted Cape and Great Taylor’s Bay, it offers numerous opportunities for walkers of all abilities.
From the family-friendly track to the old whaling station at Grass Point to the more challenging six-hour circuit on the Labillardiere Peninsula, you can expect to see beautiful coastal scenery, abundant bird life and colourful patches of wildflowers and orchids.
Take a Closer Look at the Abundant Wildlife for a While
The Fluted Cape Track, one of 60 major short walks, provides the chance to see sea eagles overhead, but the track is steep and there are exposed cliff edges, so it is best left to experienced walkers. Even if you are not on the track, keep an eye out past the entrance to Fluted Cape Park for Bruny’s unique white kangaroos to feed in the paddocks at dusk.
Other species to look out for as you move around the island include pademelons, echidnas, wombats and bristle-tailed opossums.
Bird lovers will enjoy the prospect of seeing swift parrots or plovers, just two of the 120 bird species recorded on the island, and nesting sites of short-tailed terns and penguins are dotted along the coast. During the migration season, there is a chance to spot humpback whales or southern right whales in the shallow sheltered waters of Adventure Bay.
Adventure Bay and Jetty Beach are beautiful stretches of sand that provide safe and sheltered swimming spots, while Cloudy Bay is a popular destination for experienced surfers. The beaches are unguarded, and surfers should watch out for strong rips.
To learn about the island’s history and admire the towering dolerite cliffs, head to Cape Bruny. The Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the second oldest known lighthouse in Australia and tours are available for the same.
Alternatively, explore the grounds and take some time to look out over the spectacular Southern Ocean, knowing that the next stop south is Antarctica. Camping is available in the park.
Look for the Amazing Variety of Birds in South Bruny National Park
Bird watching here doesn’t have to involve long trips into the wilderness and even longer waits with binoculars. Just take a walk in and around the cities, towns and local beaches and you will encounter dozens of native species. Even most of the 12 found only here, like the native hen – affectionately known as the “turbo choke” because these flightless birds can run faster than Olympic sprinters.
In Hobart, kunanyi or Mount Wellington is the best place for birdwatching: almost 70 species have been seen here, of which more than 50 are fairly common, including yellow warblers (the unofficial state bird) and fanned cuckoos.
Just a short distance from the capital, Orielton Lagoon is an internationally recognized wetland home to waterfowl including ducks, swans, egrets, cormorants, egrets and pelicans.
It is even easier to see waterfowl in Launceston. The Tamar Island Wetlands Reserve is a haven for around 60 species which can be easily spotted from the boardwalk, bird hide and picnic tables.
The world’s smallest penguins roam around some of Tassie’s coastal towns. Every evening just after sunset, little (aka fairy) penguins emerge from the water and frolic on beaches as far south as Bruny Island, but especially near the town in the north named after the cute little bird.
The best places to see them are Penguin Point, Lillico Beach, Sulfur Creek and Burnie, where volunteer guides are on hand during the breeding season from March to October. Tours are also available at Low Head and the east coast town of Bicheno.
Tasmania’s national parks are the best places for birdwatching. One of the very best is Maria Island, where you can spy on the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote, but certainly more common species such as the large Cape Barren geese.
Mount William National Park is another popular spot for bird lovers. Residents include black cacao yellowtails and honeyeaters and watch out for albatrosses and sea eagles off the coast. Narawntapu National Park, known as Tasmania’s Serengeti, is rich in waterfowl by the sea and lagoons, which you can observe from the bird hide.
Perhaps best of all is South Bruny National Park. Classified as an important bird area by BirdLife International, Bruny Island is not just about penguins, it is a home to 150 species, including all 12 of these endemic feathered friends. So here, too, plovers flock, especially during the biannual Bruny Island Bird Festival.
The Bruny Island Tasmania Bird Festival
The Bruny Island Bird Festival was first held in 2010 as a community celebration of the island’s wonderful birdlife.
Co-presented by Bruny Island Environment Network, BirdLife Tasmania and Inala Nature Tours, the four-day festival draws on the wealth of knowledge and experience of experts within these groups to provide both an engaging and informative immersion into Bruny Island’s natural delights. The volunteer running festival, held every two years, has become a highly anticipated event by the community and visitors alike.
The World-famous Bruny Island Cheese Company
Bruny Island Tasmania Cheese Co. was founded in 2003 by Nick Haddow after spending 10 years working with specialist cheese producers in many different countries around the world.
Nick is a traditionalist who recognizes that great cheese was made for centuries before modern technology got involved. For us, cheese production is a pursuit of integrity, taste and regional character.
They also strongly believe that cheese is a product of agriculture, and therefore the ethical treatment of the land, animals and their milk is paramount to its quality. This small certified organic dairy farm in the Huon Valley has become a showcase for what great dairy farming looks like.
Nick’s passion for traditional produce with local character has also led to the creation of Bruny Island Tasmania Beer Co, which produces a range of craft beers that utilize the excellent quality of hops, grain and water available in Tasmania.
At the heart of everything they do is a passion for the connection that they have with the consumers. Building strong relationships directly with the people who support has become an essential part of how they do things.
If you live in Hobart, you can opt for home delivery or collect your order from our North Hobart warehouse. If you live anywhere else in Tasmania or Australia, no problem, they will package and ship your order to your door.
Ashdale Miniature Farm
You can’t miss Ashdale Miniature Farm, located off the main road on the way to Alonnah. At this farm, you can meet miniature animals from Thursday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is an ideal place for families and animal lovers who want to get close to these cute animals.
The animals have been bred at the farm for more than thirty years in miniature sizes, originally as part of a childcare centre. There is a large assortment of cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, pigs and more of course in miniature size.
Enjoy Oysters at the Famous Get Shucked Oyster Farm
Bruny Island is known for its fine food and wine, rich history, white sandy beaches, natural wilderness, bush walks and oysters. Around 120,000 people visit this southeastern island every year, and many so many stops by Get Shucked for a bite to eat.
With the Oyster Bar and Farm hitting the market in recent days, there is an opportunity for someone to make their name in Tassie’s tourism and food industry. Knight Frank’s commercial sales and leasing expert John Blacklow described Get Shucked as “great business”.
The quaintly named Get Shucked is located at the southern end of Great Bay, a small suburb home to about 60 residents. It was started in a common food truck before expanding into one of the island’s most popular attractions.
In addition to the licensed restaurant, the business includes boat rental and oyster processing facilities, a dam, deck, choir room, kitchen, dispensary and off-street parking.
The business grows Pacific oysters purchased at around 40mm from a Tasmanian nursery, then uses the pristine water on its doorstep to fatten them up to 70mm and more, ready for the cafe table and hungry diners. The Oyster Bar averages 180 dozen oysters a day, with 90 per cent being used for self-catering.
Exciting Things to do in Bruny Island Tasmania
1. Take a ride on Bruny Island Cruises
A Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise deserves a top spot on your Bruny Island itinerary. These three-hour cruises take you to explore Bruna’s beautiful coastline, visiting deep-sea caves, and high-sea reefs and spotting wildlife such as dolphins, southern right whales and seals.
The boats are small but not to be worried that it would make our kids sick and possibly spoil the experience for others. However, you can click the photos that you see around on these cruises and the bit of scenery from the west side of the island visited are amazing and is 100% recommend as one of Bruny Island’s activities.
It is possible to do this as part of a larger day trip to Bruny Island from Hobart by boat, but you can also join these expeditions from the Bruny Island Cruises centre at the end of Adventure Bay. There is also a restaurant that you can visit during the day, and it is the most modern facility seen on Bruny Island.
2. Visit Natural Museum of Inala and Jurassic Gardens
Another of the best things to see and do on Bruny Island is located just outside Lunawanna at the Inala Natural Museum and Jurassic Gardens.
Home to a world-class collection of shells, fossils and gems at the Inala Museum of Natural History, there is also a 5-acre Jurassic Garden with plants from the southern Gondwanan continents.
This private garden has nearly 600 Gondwanan species grouped into botanical families to show the similarities between species on the now widely separated southern continents. Every plant is labelled with a story to tell.
The museum shows how shells, fossils and precious stones tell the story from Gondwanan times to the present day. You can visit on your own or a one-hour walking tour. It is an interesting place.
3. Explore Bruny Island House of Whiskey
For gin and whiskey lovers, a visit to the Burny Island House of Whiskey will be a must on Bruny Island. It is easy to get there, just like it is there when you get off the ferry. Located just a few kilometres from where you get off the ferry on the same road, you can get there quickly and easily.
Bruny Island House of Whiskey is home to an extensive collection of Tasmanian single malts and gins for you to sample. It is home to the largest range of Tasmanian single malts with 110 options. It is also home to Trapper’s Hut single cask whiskeys and limited-release Seclusion gins. It has a beautiful setting with a large veranda overlooking the surroundings.
The Best place for Accommodation in Bruny Island Tasmania
1. Adventure Bay
If there Is one thing anyone visiting Bruny Island Tasmania can agree on, it Is that Adventure Bay. It is among the best attractions on the island. It is a key part of the island where many people choose to stay for a few nights because of the great accommodation options, the quiet and picturesque beach and the range of nearby activities.
Adventure Bay Bruny Island Tasmania is famous for its beautiful 7 km long east-facing beach. It has a sheltered feel with many large gum trees surrounding the beach and Fluted Cape cliffs at the southern end. It feels like a laid-back Australian beach town and unlike many of these towns, it has managed to retain that vibe without becoming commercialised.
There are many things to do at Adventure Bay Bruny Island Tasmania such as water sports, fishing, bush walking, sightseeing boat trips and visiting a delicious raspberry farm. With caravans, huts and a relaxed safe beach, it is ideal for young families.
Adventure Bay also has its place in Tasmania’s early history. Tobias Furneaux, a British ship captain, first landed in Tasmania in 1773 with his ship “The Adventure”.
Bruny Island Tasmania is wort experiencing tourist destination as it has everything a tourist wants from a great trip. Bruny Island Tasmania is indeed a place that will amaze you with its history, food, wildlife and natural beauty.
